Pfizer CEO says a fourth Covid-19 shot is ‘necessary’ [Video]

WHAT YOU NEED TO KNOW:

• Pfizer CEO Albert Bourla said a fourth shot against the coronavirus is “necessary”.
• Bourla told CBS’s “Face the Nation” on Sunday that Pfizer will be presenting data to the FDA about the fourth dose.
• Bourla added that he thinks the Pfizer Covid-19 vaccine will be needed annually, just like the flu shot is administered now.

Pfizer CEO Albert Bourla said Sunday that it will be necessary to receive an additional booster shot in the future. In an appearance on CBS’s “Face the Nation, host Margaret Brennan asked Bourla if a fourth booster shot is needed. 

“It is necessary, a fourth booster right now,” Bourla replied. “The protection that you are getting from the third, it is good enough, actually quite good for hospitalizations and deaths.”

“It’s not that good against infections, but doesn’t last very long,” he added. “But we are just submitting those data to the FDA and then we will see what the experts also will say outside Pfizer.”

Bourla has previously said a fourth dose would be essential amid the spread of COVID-19. According to NBC News, the pharmaceutical giant will soon present data to the Food and Drug Administration regarding the fourth jab. 

“I think we’re going to submit to FDA a significant progress of data about the need for a fourth dose, and they need to make their own conclusions, of course, and then CDC also,” Bourla told CNBC on Friday. ” It’s clear that there is a need in an environment of omicron to boost the immune response.”

Countries like Sweden, Israel, Chile and Germany have been among the first to offer the additional booster to high-risk communities.  

Studies have shown that three vaccines may be enough to protect against coronavirus variants for a long time. According to a New York Times report last month, an expert said they were seeing diminishing returns from additional doses.

During his interview, Bourla reiterated Pfizer’s goal of creating a vaccine effective against all variants of COVID-19 for longer periods of time.

“We are working very diligently right now … to make not only a vaccine that will protect against all variants, including omicron, but also something that can protect for at least a year,” he said.

Bourla added that “if we [are] able to achieve that… we can go back to really the way used to live.”

Source: The Hill